Do you want to start baking with your kids? If so then you should know that there are a ton of benefits to getting them in the kitchen. If you want to find out what they are then simply take a look below.
Developing a Sense of Confidence
By putting in some real work in the kitchen, your kids can begin to gain life skills that go on to benefit them for the rest of their lives. The key is for you to give them jobs that are just beyond their current level of development. You want them to be at the point where they can’t quite complete jobs on their own, but they can with a bit of help and guidance. Baking naturally offers kids a lot of opportunities, and it also helps them to face new challenges. It also gives them confidence by helping them to move through those challenges and get a positive result. If you have a cautious kid then try and direct the action. Allow them to customize a recipe, and give them the chance to get hands-on with the things they are comfortable with. If they are nervous about cracking eggs, do it slowly for them and show them what to expect. If you want your child to get better at working with eggs then this lemon meringue pie recipe is certainly worth checking out.
Making Math Fun
One big benefit of baking is that it helps to make math fun. Ask any baker, and they will tell you that precision is everything. Measuring your ingredients is so important, whether you are making a cake or simple cookies. As a parent, baking is a great way for you to get your kids interested in math and it also helps them to use it in everyday interactions. Talk to them about cutting up a pie into slices and discuss fractions with them. If you can do this then you will soon find that it is easier to give them a solid foundation to work with in the future.
Inspiring Kids with Science
Cooking is all about chemistry. Baking and cooking provide a lot of opportunities to ask questions and to make discoveries. Parents can easily help kids to engage in science and to ask questions based on scientific methods. They can ask how yeast works, or what makes bread rise. You can then use this as a practical demonstration to show them. The same concept applies to the meringue on a lemon meringue pie too.
Pre-Literacy Skills
Reading a recipe is a great way for you to give your kids some practice. If your kids are already comfortable with reading then you should know that baking gives them the chance to put their knowledge to the test. It teaches them how to follow step-by-step instructions and it helps their executive functioning to develop. This is a great way for you to support them academically, so try and keep that in mind as it helps them to thrive at school.
Visual Skills
Practicing communication is always a good thing for kids. The kitchen is a great place for you to connect and create long-lasting family memories. Every family has their own stories, and it’s never too early for you to start creating your own. Try and ask questions that start with “wh” when in the kitchen. This could include why, what, and when-based queries. This is a great way for you to build conversation with your kids and it also allows them to think about things like this themselves.
Teaching Patience
Another great thing about baking is that it helps to teach your child patience. You will soon find that it allows them to understand timings and that you just can’t pull something out early and hope it’s done. You need to wait for the full time or you won’t be able to get the result you are looking for. The great thing about doing this is that you can teach them about the concept of time, in a positive way. If you have impatient kids then this is a good way for you to show them the power of waiting and how things do pay off if you simply wait long enough.
Of course, if you can motivate your child in the kitchen then this can translate to numerous other benefits later down the line. If you want to give your child the help they need then consider investing in some kitchen steps for them so they can reach the counter, and get some blunt children’s knives so they can chop with you.
This is a partnership post.